The 2019 JEC Innovation Awards, recognizing innovation in composites technologies, were unveiled at JEC World 2019 in Paris last month. Winners included a zero-defect manufacturing process for large parts, self-reinforcing PLA-based composites and bendable reinforcements for use in concrete. The jury chose winners in 10 categories, all featured in this slide show, but we begin with the people’s choice award.

FST-compliant, 16g composite aero seat back from Cecence (Lopcombe, UK) and partners Acro Aircraft Seating Ltd. and FTI.

The hot-compression-molded, fully composite 16g carbon seatback includes built-in FST compliance, negating the need for fireproofing, and is paint-ready out of the mold. The seat back is an integral part of Acro’s Airbus line and is now in service. It provides the aircraft operator with a product that is aesthetically pleasing with a smooth finish and that achieves the weight target.

The material allowed Acro’s design engineers to create shapes that would not have been possible using metal and to make space savings on the aircraft to allow for increased passenger comfort. The technological breakthrough of the innovation is both in the rapid manufacturing process and the resulting seat back with built-in FST compliance.